Territory



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

w. A. WILLIAMS.

MAIL BAG.

No. 280,429. Patented Jul 3, 1883.

WITNESSES INVBNTOR l W /E ATTORNEY (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. A. WILLIAMS.

MAIL BAG.

No. 280,429. Patented July 3, 1883.

WITNESSES 11W NTO I W67? 7 I ATTORNEY joined preferably by riveting.

UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. WVILLIAMS, OF STOUX FALLS, DAKOTA TERRITORY.

MAIL-BAG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 280,429, dated July 3, 18 83.

I Application filed January 8, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WM. A. WILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sioux Falls, in the county of Minnehaha and Territory of Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bags and Fastenings therefor; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, whichforni a part of this specification.

. This invention has for its object to provide improvements in that class known as mail bags or pouches, and to this end it. consists in novel means for holding the label in such a way that it can be used both to direct the distributing-clerk into which pouch to put his mail, and also to denote the destination of the pouch when it has been filled and locked.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a back view of the pouch when closed, showing the manner in which the encircling straps are fastened around the top. Fig. 2 is a front view, showing how the en circling straps are secured to the outer flap with the label thereon. Fig. 3 is a front view of the pouch when open, showing the inner folding flap and the manner of hold ing the label. Fig. 4 is a view, partly in broken lines, showing how the inner flap is made in the mouth of the pouch. Fig. 5 is a view in section, to show the mouth of the pouch formed of a greater number of thicknesses than the remainder of the pouch.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, A represents the pouch, made of leather or other suitable material, its seams being One side of the bag islonger than the other, and terminatesin a flap,,B. The flap B has a square opening out in it, over which, on the outside, is ametal plate, b, and behind this plate, on the inside of the flap, is the staple-plate (3, having secured in it the staple 0. These plates are riveted onto the flap B of the pouch, and perform the function of holding the label. Thelabel can be left projecting out on the inside of the flap,

as shown in Fig. 3, for the distributer tosee the address on it, and when the bag is ready for closing the label can be turned andslipped right in again, so as to bring the address on the outside, as in Fig. 2. The label is held in on one side by plate I) and on-the other by the staple-plate c. The mouth of the pouch should consist of at least six thicknesses of leather, the leather to vary in thickness according to the size of the pouch. A'pouch cannot be made too heavy at the top,especially the larger ones, as they stay open better to receive the mail and will wear a greater length of time, and still be pliable enough for all purposes. Fig. 5 shows the-mouth of the pouch made of several thicknesses for illustration.

Bis a flap which folds over the top down into the bag, and the flap B turns over the mouth of the pouch on the outside. The staple c slips through the eyes 6, which are made in the sides, as shown, as well as in the flap B. The staple goes through the eyes and is brought out on the other side, where the eye is protected from becoming jagged and torn by a piece of metal, j.

To the flap B, as shown at f f, is secured, by rivets or otherwise, encircling straps or collars 9, having on their ends plates or catches g,

which fit on the staple 0, over the plate j, any

kind of lock being used to lock up the bag. The straps run through loops h on the side of the bag.

O and O are straps or handles on the top and bottom ends of the pouch. to'facilitate handling, and 'i i are small straps on the sides for a similar purpose.

Operation: The bag by being thicker at the top than elsewhere stands open to abetter ad vantage, and when the pouch becomes full and ready to be closed, which sometimes has to be done very quickly, especially in postal cars, the inner flap, B, is turned in over the top behind one of the pieces, which helps to form the increased thickness of the month, which piece acts as a guide for the flap B and holds it so as to bring the eye-holes c all on a line, so that the staple will go through all. (See Fig. 5 at 3.) The outer flap, B, is turned over, the staple slipping through all the eyes to the other side, and the collars g are brought around, slipping the catches on the staple. Any locks for the purpose can be used for locking.

I lay no claim to the general construction of the bag and fastening as herein shown, such bag when locked, said bag having the means features being old; but herein described, whereby it eanbe fastened,

Vhat I do claim issubstantially as set forth. In a mail bag or pouch, the flap B, having In testimony whereofl affix mysignature in 5 the opening therein, as described, the metal presence of two witnesses.

plate b,secured thereto over the opening on the outside, and the stapleplate c, secured on the WILLIAM ILLIAMS' opposite or inner side whereby the label can \Vitnesses: be Viewed While distributing the mail and re- \V. M. RIGGS,

1o versed to bring the name on the outside of the TM. SeHAnTzEL. 

